There’s no big news when announcing that Lincoln is moving into the EV world. This brand needs some big wins to survive in the future.
Much like the rest of the automotive industry, there’s a high demand for moving in this direction and doing so quickly and easily. Most automakers plan to have more than half of their vehicles with some form of electrification by 2030, but what does that mean? Does it mean that we will see more hybrids and plug-in hybrids before transitioning to EVs? Could this mean we’re going to see many pure electric vehicles offered in the market going forward? We don’t have all the answers, but Lincoln has some interesting questions to answer as well.
Aren’t Lincoln Models Upgraded Ford Vehicles?
Ford has owned the Lincoln brand for more than a century, and most of the models we’ve seen during that time, share a platform between these two brands. Does that mean every Lincoln is a rebadged Ford? No, that’s not the case at all. Much like the GM models share platforms across brands, Ford and Lincoln do as well. The Lincoln lineup is about refinement, comfort, quality, and reaching into the luxury market. Unfortunately, because this brand is married to Ford the way it is, we don’t always think about Lincoln vehicles when talking about luxury cars.
What does a Lincoln EV Need to Offer?
Refinement comes with quiet driving manners and less engine noise. The challenge for Lincoln will be finding a new way to differentiate itself. You see, electric vehicles already run silently, which means the name on the vehicle doesn’t matter. We find Ford models that offer exceptional performance and a silent drive thanks to the electric powertrain. One example of this is the Ford Mustang Mach-E, an electric performance SUV.
Even though Lincoln won’t have quieter vehicles than any other brand, it can offer something that Ford doesn’t, but it will be tricky. Ford and Lincoln would need to develop special batteries or electric motors that are only used in Lincoln vehicles to allow this upscale brand to stand apart from the mainstream name. This would take some serious discipline on the part of Ford to ensure Lincoln models offer the refinement in the cabin with exceptional materials while also offering longer driving ranges between charges. These luxury models should also charge faster than their Ford counterparts. If Lincoln offers these qualities and they put the brand ahead of other luxury models, we might see a resurgence for this brand.
Better Design Elements Can Give Lincoln an Edge
The world of electric vehicles will give us a lot of new items to admire. With no engine in the front of vehicles, the dashboard of any EV can be slimmer and take up a lot less space in the cabin. Another way Lincoln could offer an EV advantage is to use the former engine space as a place for the HVAC system. This would allow the brand to revolutionize the interior design of many of the vehicles that wear its name.
Can We See Some Creativity?
One of the most amazing American luxury cars ever made was the Lincoln Continental Mark II. This car showed up for the 1956 and 1957 model years with a gorgeous, hand-built style that rivaled that of the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud. The bespoke aspects of the Continental made it possible for customers to have a unique car that fit their style. Even today, the Continental remains one of the most impressive luxury cars ever made. This type of creativity and care under the Lincoln name would go a long way to putting this brand in the running as one of the top luxury brands once again.
No Easy Task for Lincoln When it Comes to the EV Market
Electric vehicles are quiet and offer, fewer vibrations than gasoline vehicles, which removes the advantage Lincoln offers over Ford. If the Lincoln brand doesn’t find a way to differentiate itself from the rest of the luxury market, we might not see this name last much longer. The task is big, but Lincoln should be up to the challenge. Will we see Lincoln EV models with amazing luxury style, longer driving ranges, and faster charging times? Let’s hope so for the sake of the brand.
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